May 31, 2011

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 31, 2011 11:17 AM

Palm Beach County’s new ethics reforms extend to all 38 municipalities on Wednesday and the county is trying to extend the reach to more branches of local government.

County Commission Chairwoman Karen Marcus last week sent a letter to the School Board to try to get the board to voluntarily come under the oversight of the county’s ethics code, Ethics Commission and Inspector General.

Other independently-elected county officials have also been asked to come under the jurisdiction of the new government oversight entities. Those officials include the sheriff, tax collector, supervisor of elections, property appraiser and county clerk & comptroller.

A string of corruption scandals prompted the County Commission in 2009 to impose the new ethics measures on itself and the county departments the commission controls. The reform measures took effect for county government last year and in November more than 70 percent of voters called for expanding those measures to include all 38 cities, towns and villages.

After months of delays due to concerns from some city leaders about the cost and scope of the new oversight, the reform measures for the municipalities take effect Wednesday.

The School Board and other branches of local government have had more than a year to voluntarily accept the ethics measures, but so far prefer to stay outside of their reach.

Community groups that pushed the county to adopt the reform measures say they plan to keep pushing and the county commission plans to keep asking.

“The more that come under the umbrella, the better off we are,” said Bob Newmark of the Palm Beach County Voters Coalition, one of the groups that pushed for the ethics measures.

It would be better to have these measures in place statewide, said Jamie Titcomb, executive director of the Palm Beach County League of Cities.

“That’s part of the frustration … different standards,” said Titcomb, who steps down later this month.

"I'm proud and honored to have been selected," Radcliffe said in a statement. "I look forward to working with our membership to ensure that our lines of communication remain open and we embark upon a seamless transition. I feel blessed and fortunate to be given the opportunity to captain a ship in such pristine condition."

May 27, 2011

Three percent decline in property values is bad news for Delray Beach

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 27, 2011 06:24 PM

When Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits released estimated property values for this year earlier this week, Delray Beach thought it would fare better than it did.

The 3 percent decline in property values, while better than last year’s 13 percent drop, means the city could face yet another deficit next year, although it is not clear yet by how much.

“That’s very disturbing because he had told us we were at less than 1 percent,” said City Manager David Harden of Nikolits’ numbers. “The problem is everything has already been cut so much and this creates some very serious problems.”

Delray Beach is still trying to plug last year’s deficit by negotiating with the police union over benefits that it cut as part of balancing the $92.8 million budget. It’s not clear how much the deficit is now, said Mayor Woodie McDuffie.

“It’s somewhat north of $1 million,” McDuffie said. “I’d like to get this police contract out of the way so we can deal with next year’s budget.”

“Our position will remain the same,” said Rosemary Nixon, a leader of the Second Coalition Against Mizner Development. “There is a master plan that says this property is supposed to remain a golf course or green space. We know of no reason why the county should change that plan because of the owner’s financial troubles.”

Palm Beach County tax collector begins re-election campaign

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 25, 2011 10:31 AM

Palm Beach County tax collector Anne Gannon has launched her re-election campaign – 15 months before the August 2012 primary.

“I decided to announce early because 2012 is going to be a very competitive election year,” she said in a statement. “We are at war, we have high unemployment, local foreclosure rates are fifth highest in nation and many people's lives are still in economic distress.

“Our local voters will be bombarded with tons of election communications – from the presidential primaries, to hotly contested congressional races, and a ballot overloaded with divisive and controversial referendum issues. My constitutional tax collector race will have to work even harder in 2012 to reach the voters.”

One factor was unmentioned: County Commissioner Burt Aaronson has toyed with the idea of challenging Gannon in the Democratic primary.

Gannon, 63, a former state representative from Delray Beach, was elected tax collector in a 2006 special election. She won a full, four-year term in 2008.

She said she’s changed the way the tax collector’s office does business. She established an ethics policy prohibiting gifts of any amount, required competitive bidding on all contracts, and a “pay for performance” plan that ties employee pay to client satisfaction ratings.

May 24, 2011

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 24, 2011 06:32 PM

The who’s who of the business community in southern Palm Beach County will gather at the Delray Beach Marriott on Wednesday.

The South Palm Beach County Chamber Partnership Expo provides an opportunity for members of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce to mingle with chamber members and business owners from its neighboring communities: The Greater Boca Raton and the Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce.

The event, from 5 to 7 p.m., is expected to attract more than 400 people to network and exchange business cards.

The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency will be one of the exhibitors hoping to inform business owners in the city and businesses from neighboring communities thinking of relocating to the city about its resources and grant opportunities it offers, said CRA project coordinator Elizabeth Butler.

The $20 ticket includes two free drinks and hors d‘oeuvres. The Delray Beach Marriott is located at 10 North Ocean Boulevard.

For more information, call the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce at 561-279-1380.

Riviera Beach marina gets to keep county waterfront improvement money

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 24, 2011 11:11 AM

Palm Beach County commissioners Tuesday agreed to give Riviera Beach another year to use what remains of $5 million of public money provided to improve the city marina.

Marina repair plans have been a political lightening rod through the years for the city. That led to construction delays that prompted the county to reconsider investing in the project.

The $5 million comes from $50 million in bonds that voters countywide approved in November 2004 to be spent protecting and expanding public access to the waterfront, which through the decades has been claimed by private development.

So far the city has spent $1.2 million of the $5 million the county allowed to replace the sea wall, rebuild boat docks and make other improvements at the Riviera Beach marina.

The latest extension for the county money was set to expire in October, but on Tuesday the County Commission agreed to give the city until October 2012 to use the remaining $3.8 million.

"It has been a long and somewhat painful process," said Ross Hering, county real estate director.

Repair plans call for replacing the marina’s seawall and replacing concrete docks with floating docks by late summer 2012.

A larger $20 million-plus project that the city plans includes rebuilding Newcomb Hall, replacing the waterfront tiki bar restaurant and adding shops and, potentially, room for homes and offices. The improvements are intended to attract private development.

"We are waiting for those shovels in the ground," County Commission Chairwoman Karen Marcus said.

Some Riviera Beach residents object to the marina phasing out its dry storage space, a better value for smaller boat owners, in favor of more private development and docks that cater to 35- to 60-foot vessels and larger.

"We want to benefit the most amount of boaters," said Riviera Beach activist Fane Lozman, who advocates scrapping the current redevelopment plan.

City leaders say they can accommodate smaller boaters and water taxis at their “day dock” where visitors can tie up smaller boats on trips to the marina.

May 23, 2011

Gulfstream moves on with utility project despite opposition

> Posted by Erika Pesantes on May 23, 2011 10:34 AM

Gulfstream commissioners are moving forward with a plan to divvy up the $5.6 million cost of replacing its utility poles with underground wiring among its property owners.

But some of those fronting the bill—via assessments that vary by thousands of dollars depending on the “benefits” received by each property—question the fairness of the methodology. Those benefits include safety, reliability and aesthetics.

Condo residents from Gulfstream Shores opposed the assessment plan and hired an attorney to argue their side. They challenged consultant Willdan Financial Services’ calculations and argued that it is unfair that their 54-unit building would collectively pay $330,000 in assessments to hook up to the underground utility system. Meanwhile, the owner of a single-family home down the street, on a slightly larger parcel of oceanfront land, would pay less than $10,000.

“Obviously Gulfstream Shores is very disappointed that the Commission did not listen to the condominium residents, including three other associations who spoke out against the methodology,” said Gulfstream Shores attorney Marci Nolan.

But Town Manager Bill Thrasher insists that all complaints are not falling on deaf ears.

“We’ve recorded that information. We’ll be providing that to our consultants. Any new information, anything that is applicable, those will be addressed,” he said.

Meanwhile, despite some opposition, the commission earlier this month unanimously approved an ordinance and two resolutions that basically laid out the framework that would allow an assessment to be levied on residents.

The town will be moving forward with a public hearing at 9 a.m. June 30th.

US Rep. Alcee Hastings to rent space at Delray Beach City Hall

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 20, 2011 11:40 AM

The city of Delray Beach soon will be U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings’ landlord.

The City Commission recently approved renting Hastings a 689-square-feet office at City Hall, 100 NW 1st Street, for one of his offices.

Hastings’ Congressional District 23 extends through Miramar, Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park in Broward County and through eastern portions of Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lantana and West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County.

Hastings, of Miramar, will pay $300 a month beginning June 15. The lease ends in Jan 2013.

The space now is occupied by the Creative City Collaborative, a nonprofit organization created by the city to foster arts and culture.

May 19, 2011

Sunshine Law concerns prompt County Commission to dump committee

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 19, 2011 06:49 PM

Concerns about potential violations of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Law prompted Palm Beach County commissioners this week to scale back their involvement in a committee aimed at tackling overlapping local government issues.

The Sunshine Law is intended to prohibit government officials from deciding public business behind closed doors. It prohibits officials serving on a government board from discussing items that may come before that board outside of public meetings.

Potential Sunshine Law violations have gotten new scrutiny in Palm Beach County since scandal forced former commissioner Jeff Koons from office in August.

To avoid running afoul of the Sunshine Law, the commission decided to stop participating in an Issues Forum of local elected leaders that that is an offshoot of the long-standing Palm Beach County Intergovernmental Coordination Program.

The intergovernmental coordination program through the years has tackled issues including beach restoration, affordable housing and pill mills.

The Issues Forum posed too great a potential for Sunshine Law violations, county commissioners decided in a 4-3 vote Tuesday.

In place of participating in the Issues Forum, the County Commission called for holding a series of public meetings, as needed, to discuss issues that affect both county and city governments.

"It is so complicated. There are so many gotcha’s here," said Commissioner Shelley Vana, who has repeatedly bemoaned the Sunshine Law’s limit on behind-the-scenes discussions as an unnecessary hinderence. "I will not put myself in a position where I have to get a lawyer."

Koons in August pleaded guilty to extortion for trying to suppress opposition to an environmental project that he favored.

Violating the Sunshine Law was one of the charges that Koons faced after prosecutors said he had one-on-one discussions with a county employee about issues connected to a board that included the commissioner and the employee.

Vana and some of her fellow county commissioners contend that the Sunshine Law causes problems for officials who serve on various inter-agency boards and committees that are subject to the Sunshine Law. They say that can make it difficult to keep track of who they can talk to and about what outside of public meetings.

Also, serving on boards with other local officials can cut off behind the scenes communications between county and city officials that some commissioners contend is important to getting the work of government accomplished.

Vana has supported asking the Florida Legislature to change the Sunshine Law to ease the limits on what local officials can discuss outside of public meetings. Prior to joining the County Commission in 2008, Vana served in the Legislature, which is not subject to the Sunshine Law’s limits on discussions outside of public meetings.

Commissioner Burt Aaronson on Tuesday said he also supports changes to the Sunshine Law. Officials talking outside of public meetings could help get "things done," he said.

"Give us some latitude," Aaronson said.

Latitude may be a tough sell in a county where four county commissioners since 2006 have resigned and pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to misuse of office.

Supporters of the Sunshine Law, in place since 1967, contend that it creates a valuable safeguard that allows public scrutiny of local government.

The Sunshine Law has been around for decades and local officials should know how to "intermingle" without breaking the rules, according to County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor.

"We have to exercise some discipline," Taylor said.

Taylor along with commissioners Paulette Burdick and Steven Abrams cast the three votes Tuesday against doing away with the Issues Forum.

Abrams has been the commission’s most recent appointee to the intergovernmental program. He said county officials can participate without breaking the rules as long as they are aware of Sunshine Law limits when interacting with their fellow board members outside of meetings.

"Navigate accordingly," Abrams said. "Say, 'I’ll see you at the meeting.'"

Architects to present preliminary Ocean Strand findings next week

> Posted by Rebekah Monson on May 19, 2011 10:23 AM

Architects planning the Ocean Strand park for the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District will kick off the public park planning process at the district's meeting on May 23.

"They're going to say here’s what we own, what wildlife and vegetation types are there and
what government agencies regulate such pieces of property," said Robert Langford, executive director of the district. "We’re not going to get into what exactly we’re going build yet. We're going to look at what we have and start discussing it."

Curtis and Rogers Design Studio was appointed to plan the park in February, and Monday's meeting will be an opportunity for the public to comment on the firm's findings about the property, he said.

The Ocean Strand site sparked controversy when a developer proposed to build a beach club on its beach more than a year ago.

A group of residents have been working since to get a measure on the city ballot that would prevent commercial development on public land between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is appealing a judge's order to put the issue on the ballot.

At the district's May 16 meeting, Commissioner Earl Starkoff asked members of the group to drop the case while the district plans the park, citing concerns over the expense and energy invested in the case.

"I told him that we have always been open to any kind of settlement agreement," said Joe Pedalino, a leader of Keep Your Boca Beaches Public. "We've never gotten any movement from the other side."

Pedalino said the group wants all public beach lands protected from restaurants, beach clubs and other large commercial developments.

"We're concerned about what Curtis and Rogers will say about the land, because we're aware of certain environmental implications there," he said. "We're also certainly concerned with how when the future public meetings to plan the park will take place."

The group would like the site to be developed as a park accessible for people with disabilities, he said.

The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Parks District meeting is at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, May 23 at Sugar Sand Park.

Palm Beach County legislator joins national effort on women’s rights

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 18, 2011 08:33 AM

State Rep. Lori Berman, D-Delray Beach, is one of 20 female legislators from around the country participating in a national women’s advocacy program.

She’s the only one from Florida selected for the Washington, D.C., event in mid-July.The Center for Women Policy Studies has female legislators described as having “a strong record on women’s advocacy.”

The legislators will meet to share experiences from this year’s legislative sessions and coordinate a national agenda to promote and protect reproductive rights and health policy in 2012.

Berman was the Florida House sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment and has fought against legislation that would restrict access to abortion.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the Center for Women Policy Studies” she said in a statement. “This is an important time for policymakers to come together and realize the best solutions to protecting the health and rights of women across the country.”

May 17, 2011

Palm Beach County Commission gets warning about debt load

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 17, 2011 07:18 PM

Palm Beach County government’s past debts equate to about $1,620 for each resident, according to the county clerk’s annual financial report released Tuesday.

Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock highlighted the county’s $2.1 billion in debt in her evaluation of county spending during the budget year that ended in September.

On Tuesday, Bock called for county officials to make changes to the way they decide to take on debt.

She recommended creating a comprehensive policy for establishing reserve amounts and using leftover funds.

Bock also proposed allowing her office to manage all the county’s investments "to maximize interest earnings and reduce costs."

While Bock serves as the county’s chief financial officer, she can’t force the County Commission to change its spending practices.

Bock made similar recommendations last year, but the County Commission opted to not to approve all of them.

County debt actually declined by about 8 percent during the last fiscal year, due to the county making principal payments and not taking on new projects that involve bonds.

The county’s debt has grown over the years from projects such as building a campus for The Scripps Research Institute, transportation projects and expanding the county jail.

Those debts will grow as the county plans to borrow $27 million to help build a convention center hotel. The Solid Waste Authority, overseen by county commissioners, is also borrowing money to pay for a $600 million waste-to-energy trash burning plant, to be paid for by trash fees.

This new spending comes as the county faces a potential $30 million budget shortfall for the budget year that begins in October, even after two years in a row of raising property tax rates.

The county’s budget squeeze in recent years has been blamed on property tax revenues declining amid the struggling economy, combined with the lingering debts of past county spending.

The county needs to consider cutting back on services to help reduce tax bills, Commissioner Paulette Burdick said.

Palm Beach County Commission considers new limits for public comments

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 17, 2011 09:01 AM

Public participation at Palm Beach County Commission meetings could be scaled back in a move to speed up meetings.

The proposal going before the commission Tuesday (May 16) is the second time this month that the commission has considered limiting public participation at public meetings – a touchy subject for those that contend county government needs more public scrutiny, not less.

The proposal would change county rules to do away with public comment at commission workshops unless the commission chair decides to allow it.

The commission typically holds workshops once a month to discuss issues that can range from the budget to beach improvements. These workshops are in addition to the usual commission meetings that include time set-aside time for public comment.

In the past, when members of the public attend a workshop and want to speak, the commission has usually allowed it.

Another rule change would do away with automatically reading aloud comment cards that commission meeting attendees can fill out to show support or opposition to an item on the agenda.

To comment during a public hearing, meeting attendees have to fill out a comment card giving their name and are then typically allowed three minutes to speak.

Those preferring not to speak can also write comments on the card and then those cards are read aloud at the meeting.

This rule change would do away with reading those comment cards into the record, unless the person who filled out the card remains in the chambers for the meeting.

Some people submit cards and then leave instead of sitting through meetings that can last for several hours.

The county’s previous proposal to add limits to public comments was rejected earlier this month.

On May 3 commissioners decided not to make their meetings "campaign-free zones." The proposal would have prohibited wearing or displaying campaign materials or making public comments "related to political campaigns" at commission meetings.

Opponents questioned the need for anti-campaigning rules as well as the potential First Amendment infringement of trying to tell people what they can or cannot say during the public comment section of a public meeting.

The County Commission meets at 9:30 a.m. at the county governmental center, 301 N. Olive Ave., in downtown West Palm Beach.

Two bills from Congressman Ted Deutch included in bipartisan Iran sanctions legislation

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 17, 2011 07:52 AM

Two measures introduced by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, are part of a new, bipartisan package of Iran sanctions proposed in Congress.

The Deutch-supported Iran Transparency and Accountability Act of 2011 and Iran Human Rights and Democracy Promotion Act of 2011 are part of comprehensive legislation introduced by the U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the panel.

The omnibus bill, the Iran Threat Reduction Act, would strengthen sanctions laws already on the books by imposing an array of new penalties aimed at forcing Iran to abandon its illicit nuclear weapons program and end the brutal oppression of the Iranian people, Deutch’s office said.

“Revolution, violence, and historic turmoil in the Middle East has left Iran emboldened, empowered, and in a unique position to influence the future of the region,” Deutch said in a statement. “In addition to improving our capability to financially stifle Iran’s energy sector, this bill will crack down on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which continues to imprison democratic activists, deny basic rights to women and ethnic minorities, and restrict the free flow of information.”

One of the Deutch-authored bills included in the package would shift the burden of identifying business with Iran subject to sanctions from the government to businesses themselves. Self-disclosure to the Securities and Exchange Commission would be required, and the SEC would have to make public a list of companies in violation of U.S. sanctions policy.

Another would make it U.S. policy to fully support democratic activists inside Iran and to help the Iranian people freely and safely access and share information. It would establish a "special representative on human rights and democracy in Iran" with budget authority over all relevant funding and impose sanctions on companies that sell or service products that enable the Iranian regime to oppress its people.

May 16, 2011

State Rep. Bill Hager to address Delray Beach City Commission

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 16, 2011 11:13 AM

State Rep. Bill Hager will address Delray Beach officials Tuesday at a City Commission meeting.

Hager, R-Boca Raton, recently finished his first legislative session in Tallahassee and will give Delray Beach elected officials an update on the legislature’s accomplishments.

Hager represents District 87, which covers portions of Palm Beach and Broward counties. Hager is a former Boca Raton City Council member who replaced term-limited state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner in Nov.

During his first session as legislator, Hager sponsored eight bills, one of which became law—designating November as Lung Cancer Awareness month.

He also served on the Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee, and the Judiciary and Prek-12 Appropriation committees.

Palm Beach County's expanded ethics reforms face final vote Tuesday

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 16, 2011 10:02 AM

Ethics reforms voters endorsed back in November could take the final step toward implementation on Tuesday.

The County Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to take the final vote on the ordinances needed to spread the jurisdiction of the county’s Ethics Code, Ethics Commission and Inspector General to all 38 cities, towns and villages.

More than 70 percent of voters in November approved the expanded ethics oversight for local government, but disputes with municipal leaders over how far investigations should go as well as the cost of these new branches of government delayed implementation.

County Commissioners after months of negotiations gave the initial go-ahead May 3, despite objections and calls for more delay from the Palm Beach County League of Cities. If the County Commission gives final approval on Tuesday, the expanded ethics measures for the municipalities would take effect June 1.

The ethics measures come in the wake of years of corruption scandals that plagued local government.

Since 2006, four Palm Beach County commissioners have resigned and pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to misuse of office. Two former West Palm Beach city commissioners were also swept up in corruption investigations.

At the urging of a state grand jury and local community groups, the County Commission in 2009 approved a slate of ethics reforms intended to provide more oversight of county government. In November, voters countywide approved spreading those ethics measures to all 38 municipalities.

The measures include: a tougher Ethics Code, an Ethics Commission to rule on suspected violations of the code and an inspector general to serve as a full-time government watchdog, ferreting out waste and abuse.

The League of Cities has tried to more narrowly define the inspector general’s duties. Municipal leaders also object to the inspector general’s growing budget – expected to increase from about $1.5 million a year to $3.5 million a year after her duties are expanded.

The county pays about 60 percent of that cost, with municipalities sharing the rest.

The County Commission meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the county governmental center, 301 N. Olive Ave., in downtown West Palm Beach.

Former Congressman Ken Hechler to speak at Delray Beach library

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 13, 2011 01:29 PM

The Delray Beach Public Library is hosting a conversation with former Congressman Ken Hechler at 2 pm Sunday.

Local politics guru Robert Watson, an American politics and government professor at Lynn University, will join Hechler, a Democratic US Rep. from West Virginia who served from 1959 to 1977, to help moderate the conversation.

Hechler, 96, is one the last living aides to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. He was a four-term Secretary of State for West Virginia from 1985 to 2001, and one of the founders of the US Army Combat Historians program.

More recently, Hechler has been working with the environmental group Earthjustice to fight against mountain top removals in the mining industry in the Appalachian.

When Hechler served in Congress he played a major role in passing the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969.

The library is asking a suggested $2 donation for the event. No registration is required, but space is limited so get there early.

The Delray Beach Public Library is located at 100 West Atlantic Avenue. For more information call 561-266-0194.

Delray Beach CRA recently welcomed new board member

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 12, 2011 02:52 PM

Cheslack, a local attorney, replaces Tom Carney, who was elected without opposition to the City Commission in March.

City Commissioner Adam Frankel appointed Cheslack, who is the former chairman of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the boards of organizations such as the Delray Beach Public Library and Old School Square Cultural Arts Center.

Cheslack said he’s looking forward to working with the rest of the board to continue implementing the mission of the CRA.

“I don’t necessarily get involved for a particular issue,” he said. “I’m more concerned about the organization making good decisions.”

Bill Hager praises Legislature for innovative policy reforms

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 12, 2011 08:00 AM

State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, just finished his first legislative session.

And the freshman who represents a Broward-Palm Beach County district likes the results.

Here's the session wrap-up Hager e-mailed late Wednesday:

After an intense 60 days, the 2011 session ended Saturday morning just after 2:00 a.m. It was a dramatic ending to a session that brought about some of the most innovative policy reforms our state has seen in decades.

The voters spoke in November; they said that government must reign in spending, eliminate fraud and cut wasteful programs across the board. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to produce a balanced budget while not raising taxes of Floridians one cent.

Being a freshmen member of the legislature, I was impressed by the high quality reforms that we were able to pass in a 60 day session, tackling some of our state’s most complex issues.

It was clear from the day this legislature was sworn in that we would not continue to simply kick the can down the road when it came to dealing with our state’s most pressing problems. We tackled tort reform issues in order to rid our state of frivolous lawsuits and make Florida more business friendly; the state’s Medicaid system was revamped in order to crack down on fraud and ensure patients receive the best care available; we passed significant education reform ensuring that our students receive a world class education and are prepared to compete in the global marketplace; after much discussion and collaboration, legislation was passed to combat the pill mill epidemic plaguing our communities; Florida business owners will see relief in the form of $30 million in corporate income tax cuts that passed with bi-partisan support.

Having officially served my first legislative session as the Representative from House District 87, I can now say that I am more optimistic about the future of our state than ever before. The legislature truly is a collaborative body where teamwork is the key to success. I am proud to represent the constituents of House District -87 and look forward to hearing their thoughts on the 2011 session, as well as what they would like to accomplish next session.

May 11, 2011

Palm Beach County's charter change debate goes on the road in June

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 11, 2011 06:51 PM

The public next month gets another chance to weigh in on proposed changes to Palm Beach County’s charter – which serves as the constitution for local government.

The county plans a year-long process of public meetings to help craft proposed charter changes. If the County Commission opts to proceed, the proposed changes would then go before voters in a referendum in November 2012.

Some of the changes being considered could shake up the power structure of local government. One plan calls for broadening the power of the County Commission by making the Supervisor of Elections and Tax Collector appointees of the commission instead of independently-elected officials.

The initial series of public meetings, all starting at 6 p.m., include:

June 14 at the Dolly Hand Center in Belle Glade
June 20 at the Wellington library
June 28 at the county’s agricultural center in West Palm Beach
June 29 at the Palm Beach Gardens library
July 6 at the library on Hagen Ranch Road

Other charter changes being considered include switching to nonpartisan county commission elections and electing commissioners countywide instead of having them run in single-member geographic districts. Another proposal would make just two of the seven commission seats "at-large" positions, elected countywide.

Aside from weighing in on the current proposals, the public can suggest different charter changes.

The county in June plans to launch a website explaining the charter review process and taking surveys of proposed changes.

The projected timetable for the charter review calls for the County Commission in May 2012 to decide whether to put charter changes on the November 2012 ballot.

Voters ultimately have the final say in whether to change the charter.

Property Values in Delray Beach could improve this year

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 11, 2011 11:19 AM

Delray Beach could be one of a few cities that will not experience a steep drop in property values this year, City Manager David Harden said at a recent City Commission meeting.

“I got some news from the Property Appraiser’s office…They told us we’re one of 22 cities that would decline less than three percent and one of eight that may end up in positive territory,” He said. “That’s very reflective of the vibrancy of the city and it reflects some of the reports we have gotten from local realtors.”

Mayor Woodie McDuffie, who works for Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office, said the news is indicative of a city well run. He said the budget preparation this year may prove a little easier than in the past, when the city has faced as much as 15 percent drop in property values, leaving a hole in the budget for several years in a row.

“We have been really frugal and financially conservative,” McDuffie said. “But we have maintained events in the downtown area to the point that we’re one of the destination points and one of the places where people are moving to.”

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 11, 2011 08:45 AM

State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, saw passage of one of his top priorities during the just-completed legislative session with passage of a measure that would give school boards authority to ban anyone from smoking anywhere on their property.

Currently, school boards may only ban smoking by people under age 18.

The legislation wouldn’t require school boards to act. It would give them authority to adopt rules to regulate smoking on their grounds and property. If Gov. Rick Scott signs the measure into law, school districts could prohibit smoking in school bus maintenance facilities, parking lots and administrative buildings.

“No student should ever be exposed to second hand smoke; it is a proven carcinogen. The verdict is in on second hand smoke -- it kills,” Hager said in a statement. “We have an unequivocal obligation to every student in our state to provide them with a smoke free learning environment.”

May 10, 2011

Boca Raton Council denies plans for childcare center

> Posted by Rebekah Monson on May 10, 2011 10:19 PM

BOCA RATON -- Residents packed City Council chambers Tuesday night to oppose a proposed childcare center in Bible Town Estates.

The Council voted unanimously to deny plans for a 15,000-square-foot day care center for 200 children at 101 Pine Circle over concerns about the size of the project and traffic congestion.

“We are so worried and concerned about the size and scope of this project that is totally incongruous with the neighborhood,” said Eric Reid, a resident of the neighborhood.

The Planning and Zoning Board denied the plans to build The Learning Experience on March 3, after a similar outcry from neighbors, but the owner and developers on the project appealed the decision.

“I have to sell the building,” said Chris Baczewski, who owns the building. “We found a suitable use. We have rights to use those streets just as much as the residents on the streets do.”

Experts presented evidence to the Council on behalf of residents about inadequate parking, inconsistency with building codes and inappropriate use of landscape buffers.

“There’s one thing that we need to keep in mind, and that’s the integrity of the community and the neighborhood,” Councilwoman Constance Scott said before she moved to deny the appeal.

Mayor Susan Whelchel said she hopes that the city will get The Learning Experience on a larger piece of property.

“This particular project, while it may look workable on paper, it is just not workable in reality,” Mayor Susan Whelchel said. “It’s kind of like putting a square peg in a round hole -- it’s just not going to fit.”

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 10, 2011 02:31 PM

Updated 11:46 a.m. May 11:

U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, said the congressional Republican majority is attempting to rig the judicial system in a way that would benefit oil companies.

The Republican leadership's move would strip federal district courts in Florida and Alabama of their ability to hear cases related to drlling off their Gulf coastlines despite what Deutch's office said is "the states’ clear environmental and economic interests in such matters."

The Republican proposal would steer litigation related to oil leases, exploration, and energy production exclusively to 5th Circuit District Courts, which serve Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, and whose judges have well-documented financial ties to the oil industry, Deutch's office said.

“It has been barely a year since BP dumped nearly 5 million barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and yet this legislation disenfranchises Floridians who seek protection through the justice system,” Deutch said in a statement.

“Denying our courts the ability to hear oil-related cases of great consequence to our environment and our economy is completely the wrong direction to protect the rights of Floridians.

“Beyond a power play by the oil industry, there is no conceivable explanation for barring courts within any state from considering cases related to oil leases and energy production off its own coastlines. Despite record breaking profits and painfully high gas prices, Republicans have again packed legislation full of giveaways for Big Oil.”

Deutch said he's prepared an amendment to the legislation, H.R. 1229, to prevent the cases from being taken away from Florida and Alabama courts.

Update below.

Deutch's office issued this account of the outcome Wednesday morning:

During a floor debate last night over H.R. 1229, the Republican leadership’s proposal to weaken oversight on oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) presented an amendment striking the bill’s provision that bars Florida and Alabama’s federal courts in the 11th Circuit from hearing cases involving drilling off their Gulf coastlines. This provision would steer civil litigation related to oil leases and exploration exclusively to federal courts in the 5th Circuit, which serve Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, and happen to have judges with well-documented financial ties to the oil industry. Rather than acknowledge the oil industry's interest in having cases heard by these judges, the Republican opposition argued that federal judges in the 11th Circuit lack the necessary expertise in oil issues to render such decisions. Excerpts of the exchange and a complete video are available below.

“Congress has no business telling courts within a state that they are prohibited from considering issues involving a lease for energy development, production, and exploration that has the potential to cause irreparable environmental and economic damage to the Gulf coast area of that state,” Congressman Deutch said while presenting his amendment.

Speaking in opposition to the amendment, Rep. Rick Lamborn (R-CO) employed the unprecedented legal argument that judges in the 11th Circuit lack the expertise in oil production necessary to ensure uniformity in decision making on such cases. “If various district courts and courts of appeals were able to hear these cases, there may be a result of having no uniformity in decision making… It is essential that there be one federal judicial circuit that understands the technical aspects of these cases, with judges that have an understanding in offshore energy policy and practices,” he said.

A former federal judge, Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) countered, “Circuit judges don't of necessity in the area in which they live have a specific specialty. A judge may go on the bench in the fifth circuit and have studied patent law all of his life knowing nothing about oil!”

Rep. Deutch added this argument is a “dangerous interpretation of what is our responsibility as members of this House. The gentleman spoke of the need to have uniformity of decision making. Uniformity of decision making! As I understand the role of the federal judiciary, the role of our court system, is to provide justice.”

The opposition then asserted these issues could have been addressed during the Judiciary Committee's examination of the bill. Left unnoted was the fact the Republican Majority discharged H.R. 1229 out of the Judiciary Committee without a markup, denying Congressman Deutch and other members the opportunity to improve the bill.

May 9, 2011

Boca Raton to continue barricading at Mizner Park through July

> Posted by Rebekah Monson on May 9, 2011 06:26 PM

Boca Raton will continue testing barricading off the medians in Mizner Park during the Selena Gomez and Matthew Morrison concerts in July.
Cultural Facilities Manager Chrissy Biagiotti presented a report Monday to the Community Redevelopment Agency about activities at the amphitheater and the barricades.
Promoters, police and General Growth Properties, which manages Mizner Park, support the barricades, she said.
"It helps us control people to a better extent," Boca Raton Police Chief Dan Alexander said. "Furthur was really pushing the limits of what we can handle."
Councilmembers remain reluctant to endorse the barricades, but they agreed to continue the experiment and revisit the issue after the July concerts.
"I don’t think there's anybody up here in love with barricades or interested in seeing people corralled into an area," Mayor Susan Whelchel said. "The issue was placed on us by the promoters. We didn’t go seeking this problem. We didn’t want this problem."

May 4, 2011

New Delray Beach Blog Tackles Controversial Issues

> Posted by Maria Herrera on May 4, 2011 07:13 PM

A new watchdog is sending tidal waves to City Hall and keeping officials on their toes in Delray Beach, where most gadflies had nearly disappeared.

The civic group Friends of Delray has launched a blog called the Intelligence Report outlining issues affecting the community, commenting on City Commission decisions and offering a critical perspective of many happenings in the city.

“This is likely to upset some people and step on some toes,” said Vince Dole, chairman of Friends of Delray. “Delray Beach has been in my judgment too polite of a place and there should be a discussion on controversial activity.”

In April’s Intelligence Report, the group offers and humorous perspective on the process the City Commission picked to choose its Vice Mayor, challenges the qualifications of Vice Mayor Angeleta Gray to run for Mayor in 2013 and questioned the yet-to-be completed ethics reform that Mayor Woodie McDuffie promised during his run for office in 2009.

“We’re getting an incredible reaction,” Dole said. “Hopefully this would spur a little conversation and motivate people to go to a city commission meeting from time to time.”

Friends of Delray has been around for years, but in the last few months Dole has been hosting meetings with residents, some elected officials and representatives of fire and police to discuss issues in front of the City Commission.

“It really is the central place where intelligent and involved people can get together in an informal setting and discuss specific issues for 45 minutes to an hour per issue,” Dole said.

To read the Intelligence Report or to join the conversation visit www.friendsofdelray.com

Potential Donald Trump candidacy excites Republican voter

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 4, 2011 11:19 AM

So much so that he’s thinking about sending the developer and reality TV star a political contribution. (He started looking for Trump contact information after reading about the Draft Trump movement.)

Harpootian was a Republican state representative from East Providence, R.I., from 1966 to 1976. Now 84, he’s retired.

“I think he has a lot going. I don’t’ know whether he will be successful in getting the nomination or not. He’s a different potential candidate. He has big business background. He knows how to put on a reality show. I don’t know about his foreign policy. I don’t know too much about his domestic policy, however he is a different potential candidate.

“We have people like Mitt Romney proposing to run. Mitt Romney would make a wonderful candidate, but charismatically, he doesn’t have it. Today’s venue, you have to be attractive in order to gain the popular vote. Today’s voters look for charisma more than in depth as far as knowledge of various issues pertaining to governmental issues, foreign policy issues. You have to be charismatic in order to gain the popular vote.

“Donald has some of that,” he said.

“I would support him in a primary,” Harpootian said. “I think he’s a serious candidate. Whatever ventures he’s aspired to has been a serious one. Nationally he’s made a big name for himself with all of his properties and his casinos. He’s had to do something right.”

Harpootian is not among the people who, like Trump, questioned whether President Barack Obama was born in this country. “I don’t think that’s a good issue to base your political aspiration on, because a majority of the people in this country voted for him.”

He said he wouldn’t tune into the season finale of Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” TV show to see if there’s a clue about his presidential plans. “I don’t watch it.”

May 3, 2011

> Posted by Andy Reid on May 3, 2011 07:39 PM

Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday decided not to try to make their meetings "campaign-free zones," avoiding a potential First Amendment showdown over rules against what people can say or wear in the commission chambers.

The proposal, originally suggested by Commissioner Priscilla Taylor, called for prohibiting the "wearing, carrying, and/or displaying" of campaign materials and attire at board meetings.

It also would have prohibited the distribution of campaign materials as well as public comments to the board "related to political campaigns."

The idea was to make commission meetings "a neutral spot" for conducting county business, County Attorney Denise Nieman said.

But opponents questioned the need for anti-campaigning rules, as well as how the county would differentiate between political parties and other harder to identify political entities.

The concern was that the county would be “letting some but not others,” Commissioner Shelley Vana said.

The proposal was rejected 4-2, with Taylor and Commissioner Burt Aaronson casting the only votes for designating the commission meetings "campaign-free zones."

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 3, 2011 02:10 PM

William J. Diamond, a member of the Palm Beach Town Council, has been named Florida co-chairman of the movement to draft developer and reality TV star Donald Trump as a presidential candidate.

Diamond worked in former President Ronald Reagan's administration and in former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's administration.

"I am excited to join the premier movement encouraging Donald Trump to run for president. We need a strong leader with the experience and determination to lower the price of gas, boost our economy and create jobs. Our nation needs Donald Trump," Diamond said in a statement released by the Draft Trump 2012 group.

Diamond has been on the Town Council since 2009.

He was Giuliani's commissioner of Citywide Administrative Services from 1994 until 2001. He was regional administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration from 1982 to 1993.

Here's how the Draft Trump group describes itself on its website:

The Draft Trump 2012 committee is an independent grass-roots citizen's efforts to make Donald Trump President. We are neither funded nor directed by Donald Trump but we are encouraged by his public indications that he is seriously considering the race.

It is our intention to recruit leadership in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, Florida and other early primary states to place Donald Trump's name on the ballot in those states to begin the process of electing the strong President we need in these difficult times. We are encouraging Donald Trump to enter the debates in 2011 and run in 2012.

The notice from the Draft Trump group didn't say how many other Florida co-chairmen would be appointed. I've left a message; when the information comes, I'll post an update.

May 2, 2011

Palm Beach County political leaders see short-term (at least) benefits for Obama

> Posted by Anthony Man on May 2, 2011 03:28 PM

The two political party chairmen in Palm Beach County usually have completely opposite views of President Barack Obama.

They agree that the killing of Osama bin Laden seems likely to produce some short-term benefits, but won’t necessarily help him win re-election.

“In the short run, it’s a plus. The whole country wanted to get bin Laden, so it’s a unifiying event,” said Sid Dinerstein, chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party.

“It’s hard to see how it would hurt, but it’s not what the election really needs to be about. The election needs to be about getting this country back on track,” said Mark Alan Siegel, chairman of the Palm Beach County Democratic Party.

“Whatever bump there will be will be temporary. It will go go away, because it’s not what the election will be about,” Siegel said.

More from Dinerstein:

“The president apparently stayed with the enhanced interrogation techniques in Gitmo, which some people think helped provide leads to this eventual end of bin Laden.

“The election’s so far off that this this probably won’t be meaningful politically at the time. But the president’s certainly entitled to a victory lap.

“He’s extremely weak on foreign policy and this is out of character. Not the success, but that it involved a team of SEALS and a covert operation and the CIA, and all the people that you don’t associate with this president.

“Hopefully he’ll continue to separate the good guys from the bad guys….

“A lot of this is out of character for the president, but it bought success so maybe he’ll be a little stronger o n foreign policy and make the presi3enet a safer place.

More from Siegel:

“It’s one of those things that once it happens it’s over. We asked [George W.] Bush where is bin Laden and the Republicans asked the president where is bin laden…

“It does show that this president in his careful, concentrated way, gets the job done. This was the way always to get to bin Laden, careful work. Notice that none of this information came from torture,” he said.

“It’s just another example of the guy doing a good job.”

Siegel, a former New Yorker who knows people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said he doesn’t think bin Laden should be made out to be more important than he really was.

“He was a person of insignificance. He was a commander of an important act that hurt us,” he said. “He’s a bandit who got lucky. That’s all he is. He’s nobody. He’s a bandit who finally was hiding behind a woman when he was killed.”

Boca Raton gets draft permit for plan to trim sea grapes

> Posted by Rebekah Monson on May 2, 2011 01:09 PM

State environmental officials gave Boca Raton a green light on a plan to trim sea grapes along State Road A1A across from Spanish River Park.

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a draft permit for the project last week, and the project could start after turtle nesting season, City Manager Leif Ahnell said.

“We did have our legislators and lobbyists put some pressure on, and there was also some change in personel in the DEP office, and they have a little bit different outlook on permitting,” Assistant City Manager Mike Woika said.

After the city reviews the permit, the public can submit comments to the DEP about the project, he said.

“We don’t anticipate that there will be a hearing on this, and neither does DEP,” he said. “There’s been a lot of back and forth on this already, and unless it is challenged on some new grounds, we expect it should go through,” he said.

The city has been working for more than a year to get the plan approved after some residents requested more open beach views, but critics say trimming the trees could allow for more beach erosion and more light that could disorient sea turtle hatchlings.

The plan includes cutting three 400-foot swaths and one 200-foot swath of sea grapes across from Spanish River Park, and replanting low-growing native species, Woika said.

“Some people may be expecting things like like sod and palm trees, but that’s not what it’s going to be,” he said. “There will be a number of grasses and shrubs, and things that people would typically see in a dune environment like there was before we were here.”

MARIA HERRERA has covered local government, immigration and Hispanic affairs, and growth and development in Florida since 2004. Maria joined the Sun Sentinel in 2006 to cover the city of Delray Beach and nearby unincorporated areas. She has worked at the Miami Herald and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Maria was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to South Florida in 1993.

ANTHONY MAN is the Sun Sentinel’s political writer. Concentrating on local political people, parties and trends, he also covers state and national politics from a South Florida perspective. Before moving to politics full time, he covered politics and Palm Beach County government for the Sun-Sentinel, including touch-screen voting and the Supervisor of Elections Office. He's also covered municipal, county, state, and federal elections and made repeated reporting trips to Tallahassee. He joined the Sun-Sentinel in 2002 after covering state and local politics in Illinois. Like so many others in South Florida, he's originally from a New York suburb (Rockland County).

REBEKAH MONSON covers Boca Raton and West Boca. She has worked at the Sun Sentinel since 2005. Rebekah grew up in rural Alabama and graduated with a journalism degree from Louisiana State University in 2003.Follow @rebekahmonson

ANDY REID
has covered government, growth and development, and environmental issues in Florida since 1996. He joined the Sun Sentinel in 2005 and covers Palm Beach County government, with an emphasis on growth and development, as well as South Florida water management issues. He previously worked at the Tampa Tribune, Stuart News and the News Chief in Winter Haven. A native of Tampa, Reid graduated from Florida State University where he majored in communications. He is a father of three and lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Royal Palm Beach.Follow @abreidnews

ERIKA PESANTES has covered crime and breaking news as well as the city of Boynton Beach and West Boynton since joining the Sun Sentinel in June 2006. She has previously worked at Florida Today and The Miami Herald where she’s covered local governments since 2003. Pesantes is a Miami native and a graduate of Florida International University.